I just saw on the CBC that there are plans for a new stadium in Quebec City, and I say fantastic! If you build it, they will come back. There are a number of NHL teams south of the border that are fixing for a mighty financial collapse. Bettman may yet regret keeping the Coyotes in Phoenix, and I would like to hear him say that it was a mistake to steal the franchise from Winnipeg. I want Winnipeg to get the Jets back. Quebec and Winnipeg are definitely primary contenders for the NHL exodus that is about to migrate from the "sun belt". Winnipeg may need to retrofit their arena to add some luxury suites. Hamilton should go ahead with retrofitting Copps, or even build a new modern building. Stadiums can generate revenue even without a sports franchise. Concert tours, public speaking, Circle of Soleil, the circus, monster truck rallies, and so on and so forth.
We need NHL teams in Winnipeg, QC, and Hamilton. That makes 9. If we want to make it ten, I nominate Halifax, Saskatchewan, or perhaps Whitehorse? Arctic development people, think about it...
“if you build it, they will come”
those plans are based on Ottawa kicking in about 75% of the money for the new stadium.
ReplyDeleteThere is an election in the air and rent seekers are getting their bids in for a prome government funding teat to suck on.
Winnipeg doesn't need to build a barn, and I completely support federal dollars being invested in Quebec City for the purposes of bringing back the Nordiques. Hockey is God.
ReplyDeleteWinnipeg, failed when it came to building their new arena, 15,000 seats isn't even the league minimum. But at the same time they would have better attendence than say 6500 in phoenix. Sponsors would be an issue in the 'Peg for sure though. Unless you can get a few street gangs to pitch in their drug cash....
ReplyDeleteI am neither an architect or an engineer, but how much would it cost to add seats and suites? Even if the building is not as good as it could be, it is still one of the most viable alternatives for immediate rellocation. Copps is the most immediately viable in Ontario, but even it can't support a team long term. Perhaps we should devote some stimulus money to a Winnipeg arena upgrade? Christ, so long as the Liberals are forcing us to pay out all this stimulus, why not use it to attract NHL teams? The Canucks are a cash cow. So too can Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hamilton, and at least another.
ReplyDelete